McIlroy ignores sunstroke to move into three-way tie

DUBAI (Reuters) - World number one Rory McIlroy shrugged off a touch of desert sunstroke to join second-ranked Luke Donald and little-known Briton Marc Warren in a tie for the lead in the DP World Tour Championship second round on Friday.

Officials brought several tees forward at the European Tour's season-ending event and it led to a rush of low-scoring even though the winds were fresher than they were 24 hours earlier.

McIlroy carded a solitary bogey, at the short fourth, as he powered his way to a five-under 67 for an 11-under total of 133.

Overnight leader Donald (68) did not drop a shot to par all day while playing partner Warren went one better with a 67 to clinch a two-ball pairing with McIlroy in Saturday's third round.

Branden Grace (65) and Louis Oosthuizen (67), South African compatriots and close friends, were tied for fourth spot on 134.

"I didn't feel great last night but was much better this morning and felt almost 100 percent out there on the course," McIlroy told reporters at the Greg Norman-designed Earth course.

"I had a bit of a sore head last night. I guess it's just us Irish and the skin not used to this sort of sun."

The 23-year-old Northern Irishman said he received some tender loving care from his girlfriend, former world tennis number one Caroline Wozniacki, on Thursday evening.
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